New week, new things: Barkers {& Friends} Pop-Up Edition.

Posted on July 16, 2012

Main Image/Steven Tilley. All others, me.

In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s a new pop-up store occupying what used to be an abandoned space between the Video Ezy and SPQR on Ponsonby Road in Auckland. This is the Barkers {& Friends} Ponsonby pop-up shop. Last week I went in to have a little look-see and I was impressed by what I found.

If I’m being completely honest, I had low expectations upon first hearing about the pop-up. I was anticipating just another Barkers store, in a Ponsonby location. What presented itself was much more – this store’s interior reminds me of the J Crew men’s store in New York – with its considered fit out and vintage furnishings (courtesy of, in my opinion, one of Auckland’s best stores – Flotsam and Jetsam – which coincidentally reopened yesterday at its new location on the corner of Ponsonby Road and Williamson Ave) and carefully selected stock.

It’s evidently a Barkers-predominant store but combines all the best parts of it, including pieces from the Little Brother collection, ties and leather goods from their collaboration with 93 year old manufacturer Parisian, beer from their collaboration with Epic, the famous Flying Nun tees, exclusive ranges from Timex, Converse (Jack Purcell’s) and German notebook maker Leuchtturm, as well as ice-blocks from Nice-Blocks. They’ve even partnered up with Julep next door, to create a drink for Friday night shoppers. If that’s not a good enough excuse to visit, I don’t know what is. My only criticism? That they don’t stock the camo print Jack Purcell’s. Someone needs to get onto that.

If you want to check it out, get on board quick smart – the store is only open ’til early September.